Academic Requirements 

(Revised December 2023)

All applicants and students in the professional program are subject to the academic and disciplinary regulations of the College of Veterinary Medicine in addition to those of Auburn University.

Any student who earns less than a 2.25 GPA for any term will be placed on academic probation
(academic warning). A student who fails to earn a 2.25 GPA in each of the succeeding two terms of enrollment will be dropped from the rolls of the College of Veterinary Medicine for scholastic deficiency. In addition, a student who does not have a veterinary college cumulative average of 2.25 at the end of any academic year will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Any student who receives a D in any course or is required to remediate a course to receive a passing grade will be placed on academic probation. If the student receives a second D in the same calendar year or academic year, they will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

A student will be removed from academic probation after two terms as full time professional DVM student, assuming they have met the terms of probation.

A student who makes a grade of F in any course* will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine. If a student who is dismissed for academic reasons is re-admitted, they may be required to repeat additional courses as deemed necessary by the Standards Committee. They will be required to return on probationary status, as determined by the Standards Committee at the time of the Standards hearing.

*If a student fails a one semester P/F course in the didactic curriculum and the course is offered again prior to clinic entry, a student may, at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or the Standards Committee, progress forward in the curriculum, provided that the student successfully completes the course (or an approved substitute, in the event that the course is not offered again) prior to clinic entry. The student will remain on academic probation until the course is completed successfully, regardless of the number of semesters until course completion.
Clinical courses are unique in that the art and skills to be developed in them can be acquired only through full participation in the laboratories. Attendance in these courses is required except in case of illness or other extenuating circumstances as may be judged by the involved instructor. Grading in these clinical laboratory courses is primarily by subjective evaluation. When a course involves student rotation through several disciplines or sections, the student must receive a passing grade in each area before a passing grade can be given for the course.

Any student who earns a D or F in any clinical rotation or is required to remediate a course to receive a passing grade will be placed on academic probation. If the student receives a second F during clinical rotations, that student will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine. If the student receives 2 failing grades or a combination of 3 D and F grades (i.e., D-D-F or D-D-D), that student will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine. If the college Standards Committee permits re-admission, the student may be required to repeat all clinical experiences to meet the requirements for the clinical year.

Final year CPC is considered a clinical course for purposes of D and F grading and required withdrawal. A student must have a final passing grade in all required courses to fulfill graduation requirements.

Voluntary Withdrawal

If a student qualifies for a medical or a compassion withdrawal through Auburn Cares, the student will be allowed to re-enter the DVM curriculum, provided that the student meets the conditions established by Auburn Cares and the re-enrollment deadlines of the college, and that the student returns to the curriculum within 1 calendar year. Students who withdraw for personal reasons will be required to petition the Standards Committee for readmission by the re-enrollment deadline established by the college. Guaranteed re-entry cannot be assumed.

Required Withdrawal 

The faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine reserve the right to require the withdrawal at any time of any student who in the judgment of the Admissions and Standards Committee is not profiting from the instruction offered, who is neglectful, dishonest, or indifferent in the performance of required duties and studies or whose character or conduct is inconsistent with good order of the veterinary college or with the standard of the veterinary profession.

Requirements for Graduation 

To be eligible for the DVM degree, candidates must complete all of the required courses (including 0 credit courses) in the order listed in the curriculum in veterinary medicine, along with at least four hours of elective credit, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.25. Each student is required to serve a preceptorship of 8 weeks with an approved practicing veterinarian, following completion of all academic work (unless a few make up days are required upon return). Satisfactory completion of the preceptorship, including completion of case logs and evaluations, is required for graduation. A graduation fee must be paid at the beginning of the semester of graduation and all indebtedness due the institution must be paid prior to graduation. Students wishing to walk in the University graduation ceremony must be present at the senior debriefing.